SpaceX
Watch this amazing SpaceX Starship Flight 3 Test Recap before Flight 4 [Video]
Space exploration vehicle maker SpaceX has shared a video recap of the Starship Flight 3 and the company also shared a teaser of Flight 4 which is currently under preparation.
The recap shows the milestones achieved by this two-stage launch vehicle. Starting with the liftoff, the Super Heavy booster has cleared the pad with its 33 raptor engines ignited simultaneously. This was the second time when the first stage performed a full burn.
The stage separation was called successfully in this flight test. The company then fired 6 raptor engines on the second stage Starship spacecraft. It led the mission to the orbit for the first time. Achieving orbit was one of the primary focus of SpaceX.
Then it completed two objects – propellant transfer demonstration and opening/closing of payload door. However, the company didn’t attempt to relight the engine on-orbit.
Third SpaceX Starship Test Flight Liftoff from Starbase, Texas (Image Credit: SpaceX)
The second stage then descends to Earth’s atmosphere to adhere to the maximum descent velocity while driving the spacecraft to the landing zone. However, the first and second stages shattered before completing this last milestone.
The data collected from the third flight test will help SpaceX to amend the required changes in the fourth flight.
The firm is now preparing for Starship flight 4 and it has already static-fired Starship spacecraft twice. Earlier today SpaceX rolled out Booster 11 to the orbital launch pad for the ignition test of its 33 Raptor engines.
FAA is observing the mishap report for the third flight led by SpaceX. The license for the next flight will be based on the time of the investigation’s conclusion. Check the full video recap of SpaceX Starship Test Flight 3 below including a Flight 4 teaser.
Starship’s third flight test was a step towards a rapidly reusable future pic.twitter.com/TGAuLNLk2y
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) April 5, 2024